Volunteers Remove Tons Flood Debris

Trucksville, PENNSYLVANIA, July 10, 2012 —North Branch Land Trust, Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, North Branch Water Trail, Wyoming County Conservation District and Paddle Without Pollution are pleased to announce that a total of 7.6 tons of trash, scrap metal, and other flood debris have been removed from the Susquehanna River as a result of Operation North Branch, a community-wide river cleanup held on June 29-30, 2012.

The partners of Operation North Branch: Restore the Susquehanna and 120 dedicated volunteers on land and in canoes, kayaks, and other boats scoured the shorelines and islands of the Susquehanna and gathered debris from Laceyville to Tunkhannock that had been deposited there by the flooding from last September’s Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene, as well as by the ongoing problem of illegal dumping. Several launch sites designated along the route were used to put paddlers in the water, and pull out sites was designated for debris collection.

"So much debris conquered by so much volunteer spirit. It’s our love for the Susquehanna River that made Operation North Branch such a remarkable success," said Diane Secor of Wyoming County Water Trail Group.

“This proved to be a tremendous opportunity for all of us to unite around an obvious problem and invest our collective energies into a practical solution. This private-public partnership is amazing and the efforts of those volunteering is inspiring," said Phil Swank of Endless Mountains Heritage Region.

The volunteers used their kayaks, canoes, a specialty crafted garbage barge, motorboats, and any means necessary to remove the debris from the Susquehanna River and its islands, some of which was far up in trees or buried in the mud. “It was a huge, inspiring success,” said David Rohm of Paddle Without Pollution. “We were honored to meet such dedicated and caring volunteers, and there’s talk of making this a yearly event.”